How to side dress vegetables

It's hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of April. Seems like yesterday, vegetable gardeners were anxiously waiting for the magic moment to plant the popular warm season vegetable garden. Now after several weeks of being transplanted or seeded, established plants will require some type of supplemental fertilization.

Even if the soil is in prime condition, growing vegetables is a process that takes many important nutrients and adding nutrients to the soil at different times to keep plants healthy and productive is required. That's why it's important to have a soil analysis done before planting.

The application of fertilizer after plants are established is called side dressing, and some plants require more than others. How much fertilizer to add depends on the soil and the plants growing in the garden. This application should contain primarily nitrogen.

The most common fertilizer formulations used for side dressing are ammonium (32-34 percent N) and calcium nitrate (16 percent N). The amounts used for side dressing differ depending on the fertilizer used and the type of plant growing. When using ammonium, apply .75-1 pound per 100 feet of row (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per plant) or calcium nitrate apply 1.5-2 pounds per 100 feet of row (1/2 to 1 teaspoons per plant). Calcium nitrate is preferred as a side dress material. The extra calcium that is supplied can be very beneficial in filling out bearing fruit and on tomatoes, peppers and squash, it can reduce the risk of blossom-end rot.

To properly side dress vegetables, make a shallow furrow down both sides of the row about 4 to 6 inches away from the plants. Lightly sprinkle the fertilizer into the furrow and cover the fertilizer with one or two inches of soil. Do not allow any plant parts to come into contact with the fertilizer. If roots make contact with the actual fertilizer, they may be injured and cause drying out of the roots and plants.

Below are common vegetables grown in north Louisiana and recommended times for side dressing.

Snap beans -- three-four weeks after seed emerges or at 3-4 leaf stage; corn -- side dress twice, once when 8-12 inches tall and again when plants are 24 inches tall; eggplant -- at first fruit set and again every two-four weeks after fruiting begins; peppers -- (three times) at first fruit set, four-six weeks after first application and again four-six weeks after second application; tomatoes -- twice, at first fruit set and again at third cluster fruit set; cucumbers, cantaloupes and watermelons -- two-three weeks after planting when vines begin to run and flowers develop; summer squash -- twice, when plants are 8 inches tall and again in four weeks; mustard, turnips and collards -- three-four weeks after planting or when plants are about one-third grown; broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower -- three times, four weeks after planting, again three-four weeks after first side dress and then three-four weeks after the second side dress; okra- twice, at first fruit set and again three-four weeks after the first side dress application; Irish potatoes -- when plants break through the soil; onions -- from sets when tops are 6 inches high -- from transplants when established and are actively growing; butter beans and southern peas- do not side dress.

It is best to have moisture soon after side dressing to get maximum benefit from the fertilizer.

Remember -- when gardening, have fun, be creative, be informed and be safe.

For answers to your specific gardening questions contact Steven Hotard, Area Agent in Horticulture/Forestry with the LSU AgCenter in Ouachita Parish at 323-2251 or by email at shotard@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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How to side dress vegetables

It's hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of April. Seems like yesterday, vegetable gardeners were anxiously waiting for the magic moment to plant the popular warm season